Seeking his third consecutive final round appearance of 2018 (Seattle, Brainerd)

Owns both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle victories at Indianapolis

Hometown track (resides in nearby Pittsboro, Ind.)

Quotable:
“What makes the U.S. Nationals so special to me is that I distinctly remember growing up how my dad and uncle would make trips to Indy. I never knew what this place was, and every year they were like ‘we’re going to Indy, we’re going to Indy.’ We lived in New Jersey. They would just make that trek west straight across the Pennsylvania turnpike and straight out 70 right here to Indy. They would come home with their Indianapolis and U.S. Nationals shirts. That right there was a memory that always stuck in my mind, and now to actually be a part of it is unbelievable. It’s the heritage and history. Just this race meaning so much worldwide, not just here in the U.S. Competitors come from around the world because they know if they win Indy, they’ll have won on the biggest stage in drag racing history.”